Time for Prints
5 Things You Should Know
Prints for Time (PFT or sometimes TFP!) is where a model and photographer work with each other, without payment in either direction, with the model gaining prints from the session in recognition of his or her time commitment.
This can be a super way for a model to gain experience and to obtain shots for her book without payment.
In general, a photographer will organise such a shoot where he needs to try something out - different lighting perhaps, a new type of film - whatever.
The plus side for a model is free shots and prints. One downside is that the photographer will usually have a certain style in mind - which may or may not fall in line with the priorities of the model or her agent.
Photographers can't shoot everything for free of course, but it never hurts to ask!
But if you strike lucky, here are 5 things to watch with TFP ......
1. Check in advance exactly what the style of the shot is to be and what clothes and props to bring.
2. Agree beforehand what prints you can expect - and in what format. 10x8s? A4? Mono or Colour? How many? Digital on disk?
3. Will the model be expected to sign a release? If the answer is yes then check it out carefully in advance as you may be signing away commercial rights and model fees.
4. On the other side of the coin, if you want to use or publish the shots yourself - even if just on a card or web-site, please just check that this will be OK with the photographer. Even without a release the photographer will usually still own the copyright of the shots.
5. Be as professional as possible, even though you're not being paid - then you might get asked back!!
Good luck
Bob Leathers.